Hanging out washing

karabash

Hi all. This is my first thread on here and I have arrived here out of somewhat desperation and despair! I have recently moved into my partner flat that he has owned for around 8 years. Last year we purchased a share of the freehold and a couple of residents were 'elected' as directors of the company set up to own the freehold etc etc. My issue is we live in a minuscule flat and I am really struggling to do my laundry. I found a small area in the communal grounds and erected my rotary washing line. It can not be seen from the front or the back of the property and is not out when not in use. A couple of the neighbors went crazy and all hell let loose! Now I am not one to cause problems and asked if anyone could give me a valid reason to not hang out my washing and all I was told was the lease says so! These same neighbors have sky dishes, pots and sheds, garden chairs and tables etc out which are all not allowed in the lease. Eventually the directors emailed all 24 owners if they had any objections. only 10 replied of which 6 were against so the directors decided that it was not allowed. Now I am not a politician but surely 6 out of 24 does not make a majority? So to cut a long long story short I am looking for advice on what I can do. I am totally ethically against using power unnecessarily, drying washing indoors on rails is bad for your health and the building, financially it is unfair to expect me to use a tumble dryer and I can not dry my laundry indoors and still see the tv screen. Advice urgently please as this is really upsetting me now!

A_Frayed_Knot

don't know anything about freehold, but if they have tables and chairs, I take it the grounds are communal and as such - everybody has use of it for whatever they need. I know things can get out of hand - what if somebody had kids, then a chute appears, then a swing, then a 10' trampoline, but a "rotary washing line" I would say is common sense in a back court.

Obviously, you need to appeal their decision, if no luck, then ask about the items in the "common" grounds, if you cant have a rotary washing line, but a table and chairs - if you put washing on the table and chairs would they still go "mad" and what if you put out a clothes dryer with washing on it, then took it in at night - what would they say then?


Tell them (if they don't budge) - No items on communal grounds means just that - no items, sheds, pots, garden chairs and tables -
what's good for the goose ......

carefullycautious

I would hate not to be able to air dry my washing, would they agree to a portable rotary line or a wall mounted line like Brabantia do.


When I lived in a flat many moons ago we had an over bath washing line. Check these via google

PasturesNew

If you do end up not being able to, then a dehumidifier indoors would dry your washing. It's cheaper than a drier, smaller and infinitely more portable.

Mankysteve

Maybe the solution would be suggest setting up shared outside drying area.

melanzana

Perhaps the rotary clothes line is too big and gets in the way?

Maybe if you used something like this....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Dry-Winged-Folding-Clothes/dp/B005UXA4HG/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1441656361&sr=1-8

As a compromise it would be accepted.

These types are allowed in apartments with balconies, provided they do not protrude above the parapet!

Worth seeking a compromise maybe?

pendragon_arther

How do the others dry their clothes?

karabash

That is my point. The rotary line goes out for a couple of hours a week then it comes back in and you need to be a detective to find evidence it was even there! No matter where I put wet washing they would complain. I honestly do not know what to do. My partner says not to worry buy a dryer (to put in the middle of the lounge I might add) I suppose my real issue is that in this day and age someone, somewhere, with legal training should be setting a precedent in court that these kind of clauses in leases are invalid. I understand hanging in communal hallways and on balcony's etc however if there is a communal space, un-used, then in the interests of the environment it should be used for laundry purposes!

karabash

I have tried the compromise, offered to buy a wall mounted line etc, I have suggested no weekend, I have suggested the line be for all to use. The particular couple of residents just are not interested. Some use a tumble dryer but mostly they hang on rails in the flat. This causes me issues due to the health impact and the damage to the building. No amount of compromise apart from OK I wont do it seems acceptable.

GwylimT

In our community unsightly practices are banned on all public areas and areas not included in leases like balconies, so here no one hangs washing out. What exactly is the problem with drying your clothes inside? If you insist this is impossible what will you do during weeks of rain?

robotrobo

karabash wrote: »

Hi all. This is my first thread on here and I have arrived here out of somewhat desperation and despair! I have recently moved into my partner flat that he has owned for around 8 years. Last year we purchased a share of the freehold and a couple of residents were 'elected' as directors of the company set up to own the freehold etc etc. My issue is we live in a minuscule flat and I am really struggling to do my laundry. I found a small area in the communal grounds and erected my rotary washing line. It can not be seen from the front or the back of the property and is not out when not in use. A couple of the neighbors went crazy and all hell let loose! Now I am not one to cause problems and asked if anyone could give me a valid reason to not hang out my washing and all I was told was the lease says so! These same neighbors have sky dishes, pots and sheds, garden chairs and tables etc out which are all not allowed in the lease. Eventually the directors emailed all 24 owners if they had any objections. only 10 replied of which 6 were against so the directors decided that it was not allowed. Now I am not a politician but surely 6 out of 24 does not make a majority? So to cut a long long story short I am looking for advice on what I can do. I am totally ethically against using power unnecessarily, drying washing indoors on rails is bad for your health and the building, financially it is unfair to expect me to use a tumble dryer and I can not dry my laundry indoors and still see the tv screen. Advice urgently please as this is really upsetting me now!

Is it somekind of prison camp that you are living in ?, and what does the commondant say?, are you allowed to sell up and start a new life somewhere, i have a spare 303 rifle ,with the baynoett still attached !, but its not been used for a while .
good luck